An upgraded version of the Raspberry Pi Model B has been launched with the computer’s RAM doubled from 256MB to 512MB.

An updated version of the Raspberry Pi has been launched with extra memory (Picture: Raspberry Pi Foundation)

The additional memory comes at no extra cost to the consumer and will enable the British-built microcomputer to run a version of the Android 4.0 operating system in the future.

Units of the device began shipping today, with anyone who has already placed an order for the device automatically receiving an upgrade.

‘One of the most common suggestions we’ve heard since launch is that we should produce a more expensive “Model C” version of Raspberry Pi with extra RAM,’ the company explained in a blog post.

‘This would be useful for people who want to use the Pi as a general-purpose computer, with multiple large applications running concurrently, and would enable some interesting embedded use cases (particularly using Java) which are slightly too heavyweight to fit comfortably in 256MB.

‘The downside of this suggestion for us is that we’re very attached to $35 (£22) as our highest price point.

‘With this in mind, we’re pleased to announce that from today all Model B Raspberry Pis will ship with 512MB of RAM as standard.’

Launched in February this year, the credit-card sized computer sold out worldwide within two hours of going on sale.

Raspberry Pi designers hope the new device will help address the current lack of programming skills among computer users.

The device, tipped by critics to revolutionise programming, recently won T3’s Innovation of the Year award.